Module 6: Nature Consciousness
Journal Prompt #1:
Record the date and the weather, and then record your internal “weather”. How has your first full week of classes been? What are you looking forward to this weekend? What are you going to do this weekend to re-energize and center yourself? Write for 2-3 minutes.
Journal Prompt #2: Create a “Where I’m From” list poem:
First two lines:
I’m from…[2 or 3 objects that are common in the place you are from - one line for each]
For example:
Where I’m from, there are dog toys and leashes, old vinyl albums, and piles of books.
Second two lines:
I’m from…[2 smells that remind you of where you are from…Can include food]
Example:
I’m from fresh basil and sweaty running shoes.
Next two lines:
I’m from…[2 types of plant life that are around you - could be house plants as well as trees, etc. outdoors]
Example:
I’m from milkweed pods and fields of golden rod
I’m from potted geraniums.
Next two lines:
I’m from…[2 or 3 sounds heard around where you’re from]
Example:
I’m from tic tocking clocks and Skittles the neighbor’s dog barking excitedly.
Next two lines:
I’m from…[2 examples of geography or weather]
Example:
I’m from fields on the edge of woods and dry grass from the hot sun.
Final two lines:
I’m from…[people or memories that ground you, make you happy, or remind you of home]
Example:
I’m from dance parties with my daughters and taking beach walks with my sister.
NOW PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AS A POEM AND READ IT TO YOURSELF.
Journal Prompt #3
Consider a physical place (outdoors) that you know well, and that you have strong feelings about. In your journal, name that place and then explain howyou know it. What things/facts do you know about it? What’s the climate of the place like? What are the contours of the land - flat, valley, rolling hills, mountainous, cliffs, etc.? Is it human-constructed, “natural” or some combination? Is there water? What/who lives and grows there? Are there stories you associate with this place? An important experience you have had there? What feelings does the place generate? How would you describe it to someone who has never been there? (write for 3-5 minutes)
The goal of these prompts, these practices is yes, to engage our senses and place base AND to connect with others. We include time to pair and share and/or group share to reinforce and integrate these experiences with one another.